Waste - What are the OHS risks?
Over time, more complex processes and more varied products have seen changes in the nature of waste, both in amount and type. Our understanding of the hazards of waste has improved, and we now view many types as significant risks to workplace health and safety.
Hazardous waste can create many health and safety problems if not dealt with in a safe and responsible manner.
Who is at risk?
People throughout the waste chain can be affected – those who produce waste, who transport it, and who receive, treat and store it.
Potentially hazardous waste can also create problems for the general public and the environment if not handled safely.
What are the hazards?
The main elements to assess in waste safety risk management are:
- the nature of the waste
- the potential to damage people or property
- the best way to protect people, property and the environment from being harmed by these products.
Potentially hazardous wastes require general hazard statements such as:
- May be harmful to health if breathed in, swallowed, or skin or eye contact occurs
- May be flammable
- May be corrosive
- May be explosive
- May be subject to spontaneous combustion
- May be water reactive
- May be an oxidiser
- May be toxic
- May be harmful to the environment
Incompatible wastes should be separated to minimise risks. This has an economic advantage as well: if materials are kept separate, it is easier to re-use and recycle.
Transporting waste
The transport of waste materials carries a high risk for the driver, vehicle, public and the environment if the information about the waste being transported is not available, is not up-to-date or is inaccurate.
A waste transporter must only allow material to be transferred to a vehicle if the waste can be transported safely under all conditions and an acceptable destination for the material has been confirmed.
Waste transporters are responsible for placing signs on vehicles to identify the type of waste being transported. The symbols, like the labels on hazardous waste containers, allow emergency service workers such as ambulance officers, fire fighters and police to immediately identify the potential hazards in case of an emergency.
Receiving waste
All materials received at a waste treatment facility have a potential to hurt people, property or equipment and will pose a major risk to the environment if not processed appropriately.
Waste materials and associated hazards should be known before the load is accepted. The treatment plant operating procedures should have already advised the materials receipt personnel of the incoming materials and their generic description. The site chemist at the time of receipt must confirm the pre-delivery evaluation and the extent the received materials may affect site personnel, plant and equipment.